The CompTIA (The Computing Technology Industry Association) is one of the well-known and well-established certification providers under the sun.
Network+ certification, also offered by the giant CompTIA, is a widely accepted and internationally recognized Information Technology (IT) certification, validating the technical skills and knowledge required to manage computer networks.
The CompTIA Network+ certification certifies the qualified professional has the following knowledge and skill required:
- Troubleshoot, configure, and manage common network devices
- Establish basic network connectivity
- Understand and maintain network documentation
- Identify network limitations and weaknesses
- Implement network security, standards, and protocols
About the CompTIA Network+ certification exam
Required exam: N10-007
Number of questions: Maximum of 90
Types of questions: Multiple choice and performance-based
Length of test: 90 minutes
Recommended experience: -CompTIA A+ certified, or equivalent -Minimum of nine months of experience in network support or administration; or academic training
Passing score: 720 (on a scale of 100—900)
CompTIA Network+ exam objectives (domains)
Domain - 1.0 Networking Concepts 23% Domain - 2.0 Infrastructure 18% Domain - 3.0 Network Operations 17% Domain - 4.0 Network Security 20% Domain - 5.0 Network Troubleshooting and Tools 22%
Domain - 1.0 Networking Concepts 23%
Networking Concepts, domain one of the Network+ certification exam, focuses on the uses of ports and protocols, explaining the concepts and characteristics of routing and switching, configuring the appropriate IP addressing components, summarizing cloud concepts and their purposes, and much more.
The Networking Concepts domain accounts for a significant percentage of the overall questions in the Network+ certification exam, which is 23%.
The domain is divided into eight major parts, which are mentioned below: 1.1 Explain the purposes and uses of ports and protocols.
• Protocols and ports • Protocol types • Connection-oriented vs. connectionless
1.2 Explain devices, applications, protocols, and services at their appropriate OSI layers.
• Layer 1 – Physical • Layer 2 – Data link • Layer 3 – Network • Layer 4 – Transport • Layer 5 – Session • Layer 6 – Presentation • Layer 7 – Application
1.3 Explain the concepts and characteristics of routing and switching.
• Properties of network traffic • Segmentation and interface properties • Routing • IPv6 concepts • Performance concepts • NAT/PAT • Port forwarding • Access control list • Distributed switching • Packet-switched vs. circuit- switched network • Software-defined networking
1.4 Given a scenario, configure the appropriate IP addressing components.
• Private vs. public • Loopback and reserved • Default gateway • Virtual IP • Subnet mask • Subnetting • Address assignments
1.5 Compare and contrast the characteristics of network topologies, types, and technologies.
• Wired topologies • Wireless topologies • Types • Technologies that facilitate the Internet of Things (IoT)
1.6 Given a scenario, implement the appropriate wireless technologies and configurations.
• 802.11 standards • Cellular • Frequencies • Speed and distance requirements • Channel bandwidth • Channel bonding • MIMO/MU-MIMO • Unidirectional/omnidirectional • Site surveys
1.7 Summarize cloud concepts and their purposes.
• Types of services • Cloud delivery models • Connectivity methods • Security implications/considerations • Relationship between local and cloud resources
1.8 Explain the functions of network services. • DNS service • DHCP service • NTP • IPAM
Domain - 2.0 Infrastructure 18%
Infrastructure, domain second of the Network+ certification exam, comes with major responsibilities. This includes deploying the appropriate cabling solutions, advancing networking devices, virtualizing network storage technologies, and much more.
This domain is liable for 18% of the CompTIA Network+ certification exam questions. The infrastructure domain is divided into the following five major parts: 2.1 Given a scenario, deploy the appropriate cabling solution.
• Media types • Plenum vs. PVC • Connector types • Transceivers • Termination points • Copper cable standards • Copper termination standards • Ethernet deployment standards
2.2 Given a scenario, determine the appropriate placement of networking devices on a network and install/configure them.
• Firewall • Router • Switch • Hub • Bridge • Modems • Wireless access point • Media converter • Wireless range extender • VoIP endpoint
2.3 Explain the purposes and use cases for advanced networking devices.
• Multilayer switch • Wireless controller • Load balancer • IDS/IPS • Proxy server • VPN concentrator • AAA/RADIUS server • UTM appliance • NGFW/Layer 7 firewall • VoIP PBX • VoIP gateway • Content filter
2.4 Explain the purposes of virtualization and network storage technologies.
• Virtual networking components • Network storage types • Connection type • Jumbo frame
2.5 Compare and contrast WAN technologies. • Service type • Transmission mediums • Characteristics of service • Termination
Domain - 3.0 Network Operations 17%
The Network Operations, domain third of the Network+ certification exam, plays a vital role in managing the networks, explaining common scanning, monitoring, and patching processes, using remote access methods, and so on.
This domain accounts for 17% of the overall questions in the Network+ exam. The domain is divided into the following five important sectors: 3.1 Given a scenario, use appropriate documentation and diagrams to manage the network.
• Diagram symbols • Standard operating procedures/ work instructions • Logical vs. physical diagrams • Rack diagrams • Change management documentation • Wiring and port locations • IDF/MDF documentation • Labeling • Network configuration and performance baselines • Inventory management
3.2 Compare and contrast business continuity and disaster recovery concepts.
• Availability concepts • Recovery • MTTR • MTBF • SLA requirements
3.3 Explain common scanning, monitoring, and patching processes and summarize their expected outputs.
• Processes • Event management • SNMP monitors • Metrics
3.4 Given a scenario, use remote access methods.
• VPN • RDP • SSH • VNC • Telnet • HTTPS/management URL • Remote file access • Out-of-band management
3.5 Identify policies and best practices. • Privileged user agreement • Password policy • On-boarding/off-boarding procedures • Licensing restrictions • International export controls • Data loss prevention • Remote access policies • Incident response policies • BYOD • AUP • NDA • System life cycle • Safety procedures and policies
Domain - 4.0 Network Security 20%
Network Security, domain fourth of the Network+ certification exam, focuses on explaining authentication and access controls, summarizing common networking attacks, securing a basic wireless network, and much more.
This domain is accountable for 20% of the exam questions. The Network Security domain is divided into the six following parts: 4.1 Summarize the purposes of physical security devices.
• Detection • Prevention
4.2 Explain authentication and access controls.
• Authorization, authentication and accounting • Multifactor authentication • Access control
4.3 Given a scenario, secure a basic wireless network.
• WPA • WPA2 • TKIP-RC4 • CCMP-AES • Authentication and authorization • Geofencing
4.4 Summarize common networking attacks.
• DoS • Social engineering • Insider threat • Logic bomb • Rogue access point • Evil twin • War-driving • Phishing • Ransomware • DNS poisoning • ARP poisoning • Spoofing • Deauthentication • Brute force • VLAN hopping • Man-in-the-middle • Exploits vs. vulnerabilities
4.5 Given a scenario, implement network device hardening.
• Changing default credentials • Avoiding common passwords • Upgrading firmware • Patching and updates • File hashing • Disabling unnecessary services • Using secure protocols • Generating new keys • Disabling unused ports
4.6 Explain common mitigation techniques and their purposes.
• Signature management • Device hardening • Change native VLAN • Switch port protection • Network segmentation • Privileged user account • File integrity monitoring • Role separation • Restricting access via ACLs • Honeypot/honeynet • Penetration testing
Domain - 5.0 Network Troubleshooting and Tools 22%
Network troubleshooting and tools focus on explaining the network troubleshooting methodology, uses of suitable tools, identifying common wireless connectivity and performance problems, and much more. This domain is responsible for 22% of overall questions in the Network+ exam. The domain is divided into five following major sectors: 5.1 Explain the network troubleshooting methodology.
• Identify the problem • Establish a theory of probable cause • Test the theory to determine the cause • Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and identify potential effects • Implement the solution or escalate as necessary • Verify full system functionality and, if applicable, implement preventive measures • Document findings, actions, and outcomes
5.2 Given a scenario, use the appropriate tool.
• Hardware tools • Software tools
5.3 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common wired connectivity and performance issues.
• Attenuation • Latency • Jitter • Crosstalk • EMI • Open/short • Incorrect pin-out • Incorrect cable type • Bad port • Transceiver mismatch • TX/RX reverse • Duplex/speed mismatch • Damaged cables • Bent pins • Bottlenecks • VLAN mismatch • Network connection LED status indicators
5.4 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common wireless connectivity and performance issues.
• Reflection • Refraction • Absorption • Latency • Jitter • Attenuation • Incorrect antenna type • Interference • Incorrect antenna placement • Channel overlap • Overcapacity • Distance limitations • Frequency mismatch • Wrong SSID • Wrong passphrase • Security type mismatch • Power levels • Signal-to-noise ratio
5.5 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common network service issues.
• Names not resolving • Incorrect gateway • Incorrect netmask • Duplicate IP addresses • Duplicate MAC addresses • Expired IP address • Rogue DHCP server • Untrusted SSL certificate • Incorrect time • Exhausted DHCP scope • Blocked TCP/UDP ports • Incorrect host-based firewall settings • Incorrect ACL settings • Unresponsive service • Hardware failure
